The rumoured next James Bond actor started work on building a lake at their sprawling property in a bid to 'rewild' the land
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his director wife, Sam(Image credit: Getty Images)
A Hollywood star and his blockbuster director wife have sparked a planning row after seeking retrospective planning permission for a lake they excavated on the land of their country farmhouse.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, tipped to be the next James Bond, and his wife, Sam, who directed the upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black, are rewilding the grounds of their home in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, which once belonged to Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud.
But the Grade II-listed 16th-century property is in a Site of Special Scientific Interest and requires planning permission.
What did the couple build?
A huge lake is included in the project and the site was excavated last year, but when Somerset Council found out about the work, planning officials visited the property and ordered work to cease.
What is left is an acre-sized muddy crater, which has drawn anger from at least one nearby resident.
Jamie Walker objected and recommended that officials should reject the planning application and the hole be filled in.
They said: “The noise from the work on these lakes directly affected me. I would hate to see the farmhouse lost, but I believe the work to date should not have been carried out without seeking the proper consent. I don’t believe the local residents had any say in this ‘development’ until the lakes had been dug, and no concern was shown to local residents around noise issues.”
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The Mendip Hills are home to many celebs(Image credit: Getty Images)
Why did the Taylor-Johnsons build it?
The couple claim the lake is needed to protect the farmhouse from flooding and will boost biodiversity in the area.
A report submitted on their behalf by planning experts PlanningSphere stated: “Flooding threatens the historic fabric of the listed farmhouse.
“The owners are undertaking a project to create new wetland features to alleviate severe flooding to the house and to enhance biodiversity.
“The wetland features are partially constructed, and the remaining elements include the installation of pollution prevention measures and swales.
“The project will deliver biodiversity enhancements in an ecologically appropriate location. The long-term effects of the proposals will be to deliver locally significant biodiversity gains.”
Why was work on the lake stopped?
The development was halted by a site visit by council planning officials after excavation work started.
Somerset Council claim no planning was ever sought for the lake and that the work did not qualify for permitted development rights, forcing Taylor-Johnson to submit a retrospective application.
Somerset Council will decide on their retrospective planning application soon. Many villagers have praised the project, such as Tom Kemp, who said: “This project will bring desperately needed biodiversity and wildlife conservation improvements. In this regard, I can’t think of a more important project within our parish to date.
“I can see most of the site from my bedroom window, and wholeheartedly welcome the effect on my view.”
Sam is based in Coventry and has been a news reporter for nearly 20 years. His work has featured in the Mirror, The Sun, MailOnline, the Independent, and news outlets throughout the world. As a copywriter, he has written for clients as diverse as Saint-Gobain, Michelin, Halfords Autocentre, Great British Heating, and Irwin Industrial Tools. During the pandemic, he converted a van into a mini-camper and is currently planning to convert his shed into an office and Star Wars shrine.
